Interest

"That was when I moved into the bank building. All our business tenants had moved over into the Buckman's building so I had my pick of space. I converted an area for a kitchen and a bathroom but the rest is just open space. I had to shutdown the building's boiler to conserve energy costs. That's why I have trouble taking a hot shower. The entire building's hot water source is from an ordinary residential water heater."

"So now you know why I'm living here in an empty oversized marble tiled cavern with inadequate hot water."

"As far as the everyday struggle with the bank you have some idea of what I've been going through. From the first days that I took over, I've been scrambling to keep the bank afloat. I've had to resort to speculating in risky currency arbitrage and betting on minute to minute fluctuations in the market. Knowing all the while if anyone caught wind of the bank's exposed position they could cut us off at the knees."

"I've had to offer loans to risky business ventures that no other banking institution would touch. And you know about the books... How I'm presenting a false set of numbers to show that the bank is secure. But, in reality, the real books shows how much trouble I'm in. If the examiners ever gets hold of them, I'll be finished and in prison."

"That's why the Sorrant Oil field venture is so major for me. As you know, I've been working on this deal every day for the past two years. If I can pull this off, I'll be solvent once again. I can reimburse the bank and the creditors and stop robbing Peter to pay Paul. I can carry a legitimate set of books and not worry about having my head on the chopping block."

"Information is knowledge, Janet. That is why I have all those files in my desk drawers. I have to stay ahead of everything Charles Buckman tries to do to finish me off. Do you think I like to keep confidential files on him, and Staci, and David? I have to just to make sure I cover all the bases."

"Think about that. I have to keep tabs on the woman that broke my heart. I have to keep tabs on my once best friend... And I hate it... I fucking hate it, but I got to do it."

I finally paused, amazed at myself that I finally broached the subject with someone and the psychological release I felt at the confession. Janet stared at me appreciatively at me for opening up to her and trusting her.

"But Troy," she said, "are you certain that you can swing this Sorrant Oil deal? I mean , aren't you concerned about dealing with a Siberian oil deposit?"

"Janet, as I explained it to you, my French contacts have done the heavy lifting to make this a reality. Once the oil wells strike the deposit, the oil will be refined at a plant that will be built on the coast of the Bering Sea. From there tankers will transport to the west coast ports of the United State and unload."

"Just from the difference of time and distance from Middle East supplies will make it immensely profitable. This will be as close as a sure thing as there ever was."

"The only drawback is there's a number of players that are getting interested in it. That is inevitable. You can never achieve total secrecy. The stock price for Sorrant Oil shares has been skyrocketing lately so somebody knows what it has under wraps. But, I'm close to getting a majority of the stock and after that I can dictate terms and the success will be assured. I just have to keep in the game regardless how high the stock shares goes up," I explained.

"Then I can be free from the Buckmans. I can buy out the rest of my pissant relatives and stop all the lawsuits, have the bank on solid ground... And I can finally let go of David and Staci and start living my life again."

"I'm ready, Janet. I'm ready to commit to someone and live out the rest of my days."

As I stared directly at her, it dawned on her what exactly I was inferring. Her eyes widen and she caught her breath as I moved in for a kiss. Kiss after kiss, I moved to her delicate neck and stroked my face against her.

Her arms moved across my chest as I adjusted my position. My hands moved against her familiar body. I moved lower to her chest. Kissing various positions of her tit. Lower to her ribcage. Kissing and nibbling.

Her hands now on my shoulders urging me to continue to go lower. I paused to pay homage to her stomach and abdomen. The taut flesh reacted by jolts by my attention. I caught her scent.

She moaned as I converged at her junction. Slowly, I moved my face nodding against her. She reacted to my scratchy unshaven cheeks moving roughly against the insides of her thighs. The discomfort she felt was being weighed against the portending pleasure I was about to endow upon her.

Her hands blindly groped for mine and we interlocked fingers which limited me solely to using my lips, teeth and tongue. I tilted my head so I could gaze at her. Her face showed a desperate anticipation for me to begin as she stared back at me.

Then slowly I opened my mouth and slid my tongue to taste her. Her body immediately arced in reaction as her legs lifted her off the mattress. It wasn't enough to throw me off however. I continued to lap, lick, nibble, probe and stroke her delightful little honeypot as she moaned and thrashed when I hit a particular apex for her.

She disengaged my hands and I greedily brought them to help me pleasure her. I lightly caressed her labia as I continued to probe her with my tongue. Then deftly, I slid my middle finger in her.

She yelped her approval and I felt her muscles gripping my invading digit. I began to slowly stroke it in and out of her. She reacted by shifting her body around and I felt her hands reaching into my boxer briefs to gain access to my stiffening cock.

I sensed it becoming freed and immediately I felt her warm lips moving across the tip of the crown enticing me to full erectness. I felt the flicking of her tongue teasing the sensitive head and I moved forward to encourage contact.

Slowly, I sensed the warmth of her lips sliding across my cock as she devoured my girth in the warmth of her mouth. I groaned my approval as her tongue swirled around my member.

I enjoyed the vacuum of her suction as she encouraged me to climax by her suckling my cock. I had other ideas for my gratification. I finally eased away from her and my erect member sprung out of her mouth, throbbing for an alternate source of pleasure.

I lined my dick against her pussy and slowly the bulb disappeared from view and I relished the warm moist haven it found. So much so, that I pushed gently in more and more of my penis.

I moaned as her pussy tightened against me. She answered back with a moan of her own and begged me for a kiss. I moved into her clinch as we slowly rocked back and forth.

The concept of time disappeared. The concept of worry was put on hold. All that mattered was the primal need to connect to another being. It was only for these fleeting minutes that I could forget the world. So, I made sure I treasured them.

Janet began to shudder from a minor climax. Then another. And another. It worked wonders for my ego that I could provide for my woman. Her sighs and moans gave evidence that my efforts were appreciated until she finally begged me to bring her to the mountaintop.

"I owe you one," she said dreamily. "God, I owe you a thousand!" She grabbed little Troy and swallowed him.

In response, I engaged with more attention the task at hand and pursed my lips and sucked in her clitoris. The tremors erupting from her proved it was an effort well worth it. I rode out the storm and then reaped the reward of her frantic efforts to reciprocate by attempting to deep throat me.

It was scant minutes later when I warned her of the pending climax I was trying to forestall. She moved away from my mouth and watched as I shot stream after stream of jizz on the bed sheets. She was adamant that she would never swallow my cum.

So be it. There was no similar ban on depositing it in her pussy so I engaged in post coital play to keep her interested as I recovered for another erection. Moving against her exquisite body as she wrapped arms and legs around me as I gently fucked her and brought her to her second climax.

From there, I repositioned her to her hands and knees doggie style and I held her hips firmly as I stroked her. I watched her buttocks reverberate from my pelvic contacts. She moaned and began to counter thrust against me. I moved my hand into her hair and tugged her head backward as I forcibly kissed her.

She begged me to allow her to ride me cowgirl. I got in position and soon she was squatting over me, positioning my dick to the right angle to enter her. There she used her pelvis to squirm against me as I watched this beautiful vision approach her third orgasm.

Just as she shuddered and convulsed, I erupted into her and she soon collapsed on top of me as I continued to kiss her in appreciation.

It was noon before we finally got out of bed, showered, and got into our clothes. She told me she had to leave to visit her mother for an overnight stay. We made plans for Sunday evening.

I spent some time corresponding with some oversea interests through the Internet and then decided to go for an afternoon run. As soon as I stepped outside to prepare stretching and warming up, I saw her leaning against my beat up pickup truck.

As much as I wanted to avoid the confrontation I decided it was better to go ahead and get it over with. As I approached, she raised herself off my truck. "I didn't think you were ever going to come out today, Troy," she remarked.

"What would you have done if I hadn't?" I asked.

"I would have come back tomorrow and waited."

"And, if I didn't show tomorrow?"

"Then, I would have come to your office tomorrow and waited all day while you refused to see me and the whole town would have another laugh at our expense," she explained matter of fact.

"Well, then it is a good thing I'm here so you won't be embarrassed before the whole town, isn't it," I replied with venom.

The anger of the retort rocked her, but still she continued.

"Troy, I just want to tell you I made a mistake, I made a huge mistake and I hurt you. That was never my intention!" She looked at me with pleading eyes.

"For Christ Sakes, Troy, you surprised me and I panicked. You have no idea the pressure that a proposal puts on a girl. I was on display before the world and I was expected to give you an answer in front of the whole town?"

I interrupted, "No Staci, you don't get off that easy! We had all those discussions! You even showed me what ring you wanted! So don't stand there and tell me how I surprised and embarrassed you! I wasn't the one who went running out the door with David Porter chasing after me!" I roared in response.

"Yes, Troy, I ran and David ran after me and we were cowards and ran off together to Europe. But, I was coming back to my senses when I finally realized how I fucked up. I went to my dad and I told him that I was coming back to you because I loved you."

"He went ballistic and told me that I had already made him a laughingstock and that I would not be allowed to repeat that error by getting back with you. He told me how he had publicly ended all personal and business relationships with your family and he wouldn't allow me to make him look like a fool again. Next thing I know I'm married to David and banished across the country until my dad saw fit for us to return."

"My marriage has been a mistake, Troy. David, never loved me, he just loved the idea of being Charles Buckman's son-in-law. He just thought it was some colossal joke of sneaking behind your back and making a play for me. Then he felt pressured to help me after that night. But, he never loved me, Troy."

"Otherwise, he wouldn't be chasing after other women, night after night. That is, if he can tear himself away from my father. David has filled some huge psychological role in Dad's life for having a son. And my Dad eats it up and nothing is too good for his son, David," she fumed sarcastically.

Staci closed her eyes and said, "If there was some way I could take that pain away from you, I would. My actions cost me the best friend I ever had and I'll never get him back. It cost me the man I loved more than anything in the world."

Even though I had steeled myself to remain cold and aloof, I reacted internally. I'd known this woman most of my life. Of course, she knew what buttons to push. So to defend myself I had to respond hard and push her back out of my life.

"Yeah, Staci, you can take away the pain. Just tell me how I get over losing you? Tell me, how I get over losing both my parents in the same month? Tell me, how I survive day by day despite your father and your husband's attempts to ruin me? Tell me, how do I get over being a social pariah, being banished from the Country Club and every community organization? Tell me, how I can ever get a good night sleep without waking up from the nightmares you've caused me?"

The bitter rapid fire interrogatories rocked Staci back and I saw tears well in her eyes. I knew I had to make my escape or be forever damned in my desire for her.

"Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm going to go on my run and forget about you all over again."

Barely holding it together, she nodded and I turned away from her and began to prepare taking my first stride.

I almost tripped as she sobbed, "Okay, Troy, I made the effort and now I'll live with the consequences. One last thing, I wish you would reconsider your decision of not going to the reunion tonight. You still have a lot of friends among our classmates that would love to see you. And for those that don't, your presence would prove you aren't a coward."

I pretended not to hear her last observation as I began my run. The last untainted thing in my life, the Zen of running was missing now as I barely stumbled a mile before I stopped at a city park bench and out of view from prying eyes began crying.

I began to realize that if I lived to be a hundred that Staci would still haunt me. I remained there for the rest of the afternoon trying to decide what to do.

************************

I looked at the imposing building of the country club. Nothing was more a symbol of exclusivity in the entire town. Only the rich and powerful were welcomed; none others need apply. But, for certain special occasions, such as a high school reunion; the minorities, the downtrodden, the never haves, were afforded a brief rare glimpse into a lifestyle they would never know.

I walked past some classmates gawking at the splendor of the surroundings and nodded hello to them. Even though I had been banished from the view six years ago, it no longer held my interest. Down the immaculate hallway with its plush carpet, decorative vases, landscape paintings...all the trappings of grandeur leading to the banquet room.

There at the doorway was the obligatory table festooned with the Camden High Tigers logo. It was manned by my classmate, Susan Moix, who I had last seen at my office trying to badger me to work on the reunion. Her eyes widened at my approach.

"Troy Williams," I announced to her as though I had to remind her who I was. "I didn't register so I guess I'll have to pay the late fee, won't I Susan."

She flustered as she took my money and she said, "It will take just a minute, Troy."

She began typing quickly on a laptop. I stood aside as Susan tended to other classmates who preregistered. They were given their name badges, complete with their senior picture and past accomplishments. Then they were given gift bags and were allowed to enter the banquet hall.

Some of my classmates said hello to me, some ignored me, but it continued to be an uncomfortable atmosphere in the hallway. The laptop printer finally spat out my makeshift generic badge and Susan worked into a flimsy plastic holder, much different than the prepared laminated badges waiting on the table to be claimed.

I managed to pin the badge to my shirt and took the proffered gift bag from Susan and I idly peered into it looking at the various cheap knickknacks inside. Not seeing anything I couldn't live without I deposited my bag atop a cluster of bags similarly abandoned at a trash can as I entered the banquet room.

Maybe it was due to my heightened paranoia, but I sensed a drop in the volume of conversation as I entered the room. Not wishing to confirm my fear, I made a beeline to the bar. I hastily paid ten dollars for an overpriced gin and tonic cocktail.

After sampling the drink, I was almost tempted to return the drink due to the cheap gin used. Instead, I walked away holding my drink as a shield not to engage with anyone.

It only served to ward off most of my fellow classmates. Some persisted on conversing with me and despite the awkward initial comments, I began to enjoy talking to a crowd of old friends when David and Staci entered the room.

David was attired in a business suit to differentiate himself from the rest of us. The event for the night was specifically casual dress. He sought to show his superiority from the onset as he looked down his nose to everyone. His aloof manner was befitting of a protégée of Charles Buckman.

Staci on the other hand wore a simple black dress and was immediately flooded by female classmates that insisted she join them on the dance floor to participate in the Electric Slide.

I watched as David tried to object and she ignored him to take center stage on the floor. The simple joy of doing the dance steps enticed a number of other classmates out on the floor to join her in enjoying the music.

Once the song was over, she returned to David and I saw him make a comment that she apparently didn't like. Another song started up and Staci tried to drag David onto the dance floor. He resisted until she finally gave up. She remained by his side just watching the dancing until once again her girlfriends dragged her to the floor.

For the remainder of the night there was the strange dichotomy of a cowered passive Staci by David's side and an animated relaxed Staci dancing on the dance floor.

Never with a guy however. Whenever anyone approached Staci, they would ask David for permission to dance with his wife. He would always strenuously object until the guy left. Staci was continuing to be embarrassed by his behavior as the dance went on.

The argument was getting more pronounced and strident with each rejection from David. Luckily for Staci, her girlfriends would continue to pop over to allow her to unwind on the floor.

Her gyrations on the floor were much appreciated by every man in the room and I suspect there were a number of females that would have been willing to come out of the closet if only Staci beckoned at them.

Still, loyally, she returned to David after every dance with his growing displeasure evident on his face. She would beg him to dance with her, but apparently titans of industry aren't allowed to have fun. Their agitations became more pronounced and there were fewer requests from people wanting to dance with Staci for fear of exacerbating the argument.

That was when Staci looked across the floor and caught my eye. Without seeking permission, she left David and walked across the floor to me. Every pair of eyes were on us as she reached her hand out and said, "Dance with me."

David's countenance could have caused serious injury from his glare. Hell, I had nothing to lose. I found myself trailing behind Staci as she continued to hold my hand leading me to the floor.

"I thought you said you weren't coming to the reunion?"

I replied, "I wasn't, until I was told how big a pussy I would be if I didn't show up."

Staci giggled at my response as the intro to a slow dance number started. Her eyes widened as she feared I would reject the idea of body contact with her. Instead I shrugged and opened my arms into a close representation of a dancing pose.